Voices from the Edge

About the program …

Community dialogue is important. At 8am every Thursday Voices from the Edge lends a KBOO microphone to informed guests you might not hear anywhere else. With an hour to invest, the call-in format engages listeners in meaningful conversations about crucial issues like racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice and politics on local, state and national levels. Join lively discussions about concerns that are important to you and our community. Together we’ll make Oregon and our nation a better place for a larger number of those living here.

About the host …

Jo Ann Hardesty is Principal Partner at Consult Hardesty. She serves as a subject matter expert on a myriad of issues and is available as a speaker, facilitator and campaign planner. A long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice, Jo Ann was three times elected to the Oregon legislature and for many years Executive Director of Oregon Action. She’s been called on by the City of Portland to help re-write the City Charter and organizes those on the downside of power to pursue their interests from the local to the federal level. She is particularly committed to leadership development and in holding those in power accountable.

Join the conversation …

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Voices from the Edge welcomes back Greg Palast who has been called the "most important investigative reporter of our time – up there with Woodward and Bernstein" (The Guardian). Palast has broken front-page stories for BBC Television Newsnight, The Guardian, Nation Magazine, Rolling Stone and Harper's Magazine. Jo Ann Hardesty hosts.

Guest host Lisa Loving welcomes neighborhood activists concerned about Portland’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan, which will guide land use development, growth and investment decisions in Portland between now and 2035.

The movement for a $15 minimum wage is gaining momentum around the nation and in Oregon, where activists are partnering with social service providers, advocacy groups and state lawmakers to push for legislative action. Guest host Lisa Loving speaks with organizers of 15 Now PDX on their campaign and how you can get involved. We’ll also be taking calls on YOUR minimum wage story.

With the massive displacement of families and the working class out of their traditional Portland neighborhoods, one coalition of community organizations is looking at a full-scale effort to change development policy. Guest host Lisa Loving speaks with Alan Hippolito of VERDE, Cyreena Boston Ashby of PAALF, Jon Osterman from OPAL Environmental Justice and Joseph Santos Lyons from APANO on what we can do to shape our city into the place we want it to be.

Guest host Lisa Loving speaks with musicians from The Bush League, a group of musicians behind “Running Up That Hill: Kate Bush Covers for Reproductive Rights.” It’s designed as a fundraiser for reproductive rights organizations, low cost abortion clinics, and other pro-choice advocates. Lisa is live with musicians C.J. Boyd and musical ensemble the Binary Marketing Show on why abortion access matters.

While many watchers have their eyes on the rioting in Ferguson, Missouri, here in Portland the black community is reeling from the murder of a 21-year-old pregnant mom gunned down in her own apartment last weekend. Portland Police are working with city officials and mothers throughout the community on the Enough is Enough campaign to encourage witnesses to come forward and report what they know about crimes like these.
Guest host Lisa Loving is joined by Portland Police Bureau Crisis Response Team Director Marci Jackson to talk about how you can get involved in this new campaign to support local families of murdered Portlanders in the black community.

"Enough is Enough" is a tag line for a new snitch program from the Gang Enforcement Police folks in Portland. It's purpose is to encourage people to share information with police to solve crimes in black communities. Let's talk about the elephant in the room, the police will never get support from people who don't trust them. Why would black men talk to the police? Eric Garner a 43-year old Black man was killed by a chokehold by a NYPD officers was suspected of selling individual cigarettes (the medical examiner ruled this death a homicide) and we are told the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating; An UNARMED Black teenager named Michael Brown, 18 years old was shot and killed by St.

Where are the leaders in the African American community is a question I get asked a lot. As I look inside our current political system this is what I have found: Recently Governor Kitzhaber quietly let go his Director of Media Services a young African American woman named Nkenge Harmon Johnson. Ms. Harmon Johnson was one of two African Americans employed by this governor. With so few people of color in the Governor’s administration this change requires more information Just a few days ago Lakeitha Elliott resigned her position with the Multnomah County Democratic Central Committee as Chair due to ongoing non-cooperation of some members of the board who originally challenged her election and have never gotten over her successful re-election into that post.

Join Edward T. Haslam, author of the updated book Dr. Mary's Monkey How the unsolved murder if a doctor, a secret laboratory in New Orleans and cancer-causing monkey viruses are linked to Lee Harvey Oswald, the JFK assassination and emerging global epidemics for what should be an interesting conversation.

The PPB have been compiling ‘stop data’ to determine the role that race is playing when officers decide to stop & search Portlanders. The results indicate racial profiling continues. It’s against the city’s ordinance, the state constitution & written police procedure, but racial profiling remains in practice.

Studio guests Anthony Gibson and Isaiah Carter will describe recent interactions with the Gang ‘Enforcement’ Team. Were they driving a car that was too nice for the neighborhood?

On 23 July, Videographer Joe Anybody accompanied a group of mothers as they set out on a 100-mile walk in support of human rights and dignity for children afflicted by ‘the current psycho-pharmaceutical treatment model.’ Before they could get out of Portland, the group discovered our guests, and two other African Americans, detained by perhaps a dozen members of Portland’s Gang ‘Enforcement’ Team. The human rights activists and many community members remained on the scene until the police withdrew. Once again, after an hour’s investigation under careful scrutiny by the community, no cause for arrest could be made.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

Last year, Portland City Council approved a pilot "overnight sleeping" program that would permit churches and other non-profits to make their parking lots available to people currently living in their cars. The measure, loosed based on a similar program in Eugene, was intended to offer refuge for those on the brink while more permanent support was found. When Sellwood's Moreland Presbyterian Church announced earlier this spring their intent to be the first church to carry out the program - in their case for a single woman living in her car - a vocal minority raised a sufficient ruckus that the church delayed implementation of its plan. Now a second church, northeast Portland'sWestminster Presbyterian Church has announced their desire to participate in the program.

Why does such a limited presence of those without homes in Portland neighborhoods provoke such strong reactions? How do we change Portlanders' ideas about who the homeless? Can we move beyond current policies of concentrating the homeless in certain areas of the city to integrating them into neighborhoods with which they often have deep connections? Joining us in this conversation is David Groff, a member of Westminster Presbyterian who is one of the leads in conversations with the city about implementation of the plan. Groff is also chair of the board of Operation Nightwatch, a volunteer program offering evening hospitality services to the homeless and residents of single room occupancy facilities.

Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

Dave Mazza hosts open lines...what's concerning you the day after we celebrate Independence? In response to this week's discussion on the Abe & Joe Talk Radio Show, callers also give their two cent cents about Portland neighborhood fireworks!

This week, Jo Ann and Dave will look at what these and other rulings mean for Oregon and the nation. They will also be bringing news of the court's health care decision as it becomes available.

Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

Why are Portlanders upset about flash mobs?

Silent disco. Worldwide pillow fights. These and other unusual, satirical or artistic acts have become part of the social phenomenon known as "flash mobs." Using social networking sites like Facebook, flash mob participants have often used these spontaneous events to poke fun at a culture that elevates conformity while obsessing over being part of "the next big thing." As flash mobs have increased in frequency and diversity, they have also evoked a range of responses, from local governments that are labeling them as dangerous disruptions, to white supremacists who cite these events as validation of their racial views.

This week, Jo Ann and Dave will look at how this phenomenon is playing out in Oregon. Joining them in the conversation is long-time gang outreach specialist and community activist John Canda. Should Portlanders be concerned about flash mobs? Are youth of color participating in flash mobs at risk? If you've participated in flash mobs, we encourage you join the conversation and share your view on this growing social phenomenon.

Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

Subsidizing segregation: Portland's fair housing failure

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was intended to help break down the walls of segregation and poverty by protecting the fundamental right of anyone, regardless of color, to have the opportunity to live where they choose. Over the past 44 years, millions of taxpayer dollars have gone to advance that goal through ensuring affordable housing is part of every neighborhood. But a new report by the Oregonian that examined metropolitan area public housing records found that far from breaking down segregation and poverty, Portland and other local governments have reinforced it. The poor and people of color have been concentrated in the region's poorest neighborhoods while desirable communities such as Inner Southeast Portland and Lake Oswego remain white and affluent.

This week, Jo Ann and Dave are joined by Brad Schmidt, the Oregonian reporter who pieced together this disturbing picture from public records that often required legal action to obtain. Portland State University Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Planning Karen Gibson will also join the conversation. Gibson is currently conducting a study of the political economy of neighborhood change in Portland's historic black community, the Albina District. Join us as we examine how "progressive" Portland has failed so dismally and what needs to happen to create a truly fair housing environment in the region.

Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

How did Portland police fare in new report on officer-involved shootings?

by outside experts that examined officer-involved shootings of "individuals experiencing some level of mental or emotional crisis." The investigation also scrutinized communication at the scene of critical events. Among the cases examined was the shooting death of Aaron Campbell. The report, which is part of a series of outside reports conducted by the auditor's office since 2002, comes as Portlanders will be choosing the next mayor - who will decide who serves as police commissioner - and a new council will be gearing up for the 2013 round of

with the police association. This week, Jo Ann and Dave look at the report, its findings and it ramifications on policing, next year's collective bargaining agreement, and police accountability in the coming years.

Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

Can we break through polarization about climate change? A conversation with Max and Ellen Schupbach about deep democracy

Climate change remains a political lightening rod that's left those who believe and those who deny it exists locked in a stalemate that makes action by the broader community impossible. Are more facts needed or is there a need for examining the process by which we address and act upon such critical issues? How do we move forward where power is distributed unequally among those involved?

This week, Jo Ann and Dave talk with Dr. Max Schupbach and Dr. Ellen Schupbach of the Deep Democracy Institute about how we can open up a deeper level of discourse that allows for dissent, action and community building. The Schupbachs have brought their perspective and skills in deepening democracy to such varied settings as community-building efforts with Croation and Serbian war refugees, and the use of public space by businesses, "punks," and others community members in Zurich. They are organizers of an Open Forum on Climate Change taking place in Portland June 1-3 that includes a June 2 community discussion at the Oregon Convention Center facilitated by Worldwork and Process Work founders Drs. Arnold and Amy Mindell.

Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).

Comments

I just wanted to post a link to an article about the foreclosure mills that make money off of the forsclosure mess. http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/07/david-stern-djsp-foreclosure-fannie-freddie?page=1

I did not hear an apology for you making a blatant distortion of my comment. I do not appreciate being lied about and especially by a campaign which you obviously are supporting which hypocritically poses as the moral arbitrator of the Universe regarding truth telling.

Again, let me clarify:

First off, I did not say, as was falsely stated by you and your guest, that politicians have a right to lie. I stated that everyone has a right to lie about their love life. That is a vastly different point and I bitterly resent being lied about on this.

This distortion (lie) by your guest and you is sadly emblematic of the hyperbolic nature of this entire pesudo-moralistic campaign.

I will receive your apology before I ever again associate with you or this program.

Will again and please correct your slander of me and misstatement of my comment.

First off, I did not say, as was falsely stated by JoAnn and your caller, that politicians have a right to lie. I stated that everyone has a right to lie about their love life. That is a vastly different point and I bitterly resent being lied about on this.

This distortion (lie) by your guest and JoAnn is emblematic of the hyperbolic nature of this entire pesudo-moralistic campaign.

It is a fact that Republicans involved in this are using this as an organizing tool. It is a fact that this campaign is making common-cause with anti-progressive forces.

It is this campaign that is the divisive force in our community.

This signature campaign is the darling of the right wing. This campaign is the best thing that has happened to the Multnomah Co. Republican Party since Theodore Roosevelt.

If this is about negative campaigning- WHY IS THIS SUCH A THOROUGLY NEGATIVE CAMPGAIGN. IT REDUCES POLITICAL DIALOG TO THE LEVEL OF A GRAMMER SCHOOL PLAYGROUND.

I agree, Peter. This article is germane: One outcome of Professor Gate’s arrest should be an understanding that “What lends legitimacy (to our legal system) is our belief that the police are dutiful servants of the people — not their arbitrary oppressors.”

The Declaration of Independence promptly asserts “… Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed.”

'Know Your Rights' training is imperative, as a 'check and balance' against unwarranted interference with the intent of the U.S. Constitution. An informed citizenry is a Public Good. Vigilance against abuse of power is actually a civic responsibility.

I know first-hand a tendency by Portland police to escalate situations that might be otherwise resolved. I have only an inkling of the mental pressures involved in policing, and but a dim suspicion as to the social handicaps that come with wielding weapons, spending so much time in the milieu of antisocial behavior, of having a community grant your uniformed subgroup status as The Enforcers. I would suspect such pressure, status and lethal equipment make it difficult to appreciate a role of Servant of the People.

Do you know what the common ground may be?

Law enforcement.

How can we change our dialogue so that a person of color, being thrown up against chain link fence – sometimes even without a pretext of wrongdoing – has standing when there is no probable cause that a crime is being committed?

By advocating that police actions adhere to Constitutional provisions for freedom from unwarranted search, to be secure in their possessions; would not this citizen also be involved in law enforcement?

One really ironic point I failed to make on the program is that, from the time of Chief Kroeker onward, it has likely been in the consciousness of Portland Police Bureau command that racial profiling actually inhibits criminal detection and prosecution. Simply the perception of police misconduct reduces the quality of public cooperation. One of the results of racial bias is that it is more difficult to secure leads and eventual witness testimony from a disenfranchised, victimized population of law-abiding citizens.

I suggest there will be a real reduction in crime (due to citizen cooperation) when and if policing is seen to be done lawfully. If it were a shared perception that people who oppose the immoral, unethical and illegal practice of racial profiling had merit as Constitutional law enforcers, I would think this a positive dynamic … and not just for people of color, but other negatively affected groups like the mentally ill, for whom self-advocacy is a supreme challenge.

Let us fuse training and dialogue. You mention the ‘well-trained cop.’ Perhaps ‘Know Your Rights’ training (and Oregon Action training includes de-escalation strategies) might dovetail with Portland Police Bureau training. What would be achieved if police training alerted officers that a segment of the population - fatigued by unconstitutional behavior - will be advocating for just and equitable treatment?

If that segment of the population included Police Commissioner Saltzman, Human Rights Commissioner Fritz, City Auditor Griffin-Valade and Mayor Adams, I think the Police union would find impetus to engage in negotiations for a means to weed out officers refusing to enforce the Constitution, state law, or bureau regulations.

To take up your point about police as public servants, the Auditor’s Independent Police Review Board is poised to actually adopt that frame of reference. Currently specializing in facts and figures, there is a component of their reporting primed and ready for public pressure to make this a prime frame of reference for assessing the Police Bureau’s functionality.

Perhaps better left for another blog, I just want you to know that civilian oversight of armed government activity is imperative as the nation pursues a War on Terror. If the City of Portland were to weigh in on fundamental human rights during the nation’s general expansion of police powers, it stands likely to do a Public Good that cannot now be calculated.

On this morning's (June 18) program Joann mentioned a man (I think she said "young" and "minority" )who is becomming active in environmental matters, I would like to talk with him about joining the planning and implementation of an event that is scheduled to take place on October 24th.

I am a member ot the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of the Multnomah Monthly Meeting of Friends (Quakers), and the organizer of a sub-group called "Global Coolers". We meet monthly and have taken the responsibility of informing the Meeting about global warming and involving them in efforts to lessen our individual and collective destructive impact on the planet.We have also hosted a couple of community events over the past several years.
Yesterday I learned that Bill McKibben, who is a leading activist in the environmental protection movement, is organizing a world-wide demonstration to take place on October 24: it is described on 350.org.
I want to make sure that Portland participates in this event.
I have not talked yet to other environmental activists about involvement (there may already be plans afoot) but I will do so in the next couple of days. In any case I will welcome all participants in the planning and execution of the event. My telephone number is 503-292-1817.
Thank you for your attention.
Peace, Jim

I was disturbed to hear this morning information that leads me to think I did not check out the ballot measures carefully enough. As an intelligent conservative, I find it both important and difficult to listen to KBOO and other left-of-center sources regularly, and the comments this morning made it clear that I should invest more energy into that effort.

On the other hand, I was a bit amused (and relieved of my nascent guilt) when I heard you adamantly insist that Measure 53 passed by a 76-24 margin because a day-old paper said so. It is possible that the Oregonian was that far off the mark - if so, I would assume that it was an early edition which showed very preliminary results. I went to three sources this morning of which two gave vote tallies. KATU.com indicates that as of 8am today the vote on 53 was YES 475,838 and NO 473,912 which is a margin of less than 2000 votes out of nearly 1 million. Rounded to the nearest percent, the vote is 50-50. KOIN.com had very similar (probably identical) numbers.

So I figure that if you let your personal opinions cloud such simple and easily ascertained facts, if you are so closed-minded that you will not double-check this when it is disputed, I need not concern myself with your judgment on the more complex issue of Measure 53 itself.